MB&F LM Split Escapement x Eddy Jaquet
The MB&F x Eddy Jaquet LM Split Escapement series features eight unique timepieces engraved with scenes from classic literary works, showcasing Jaquet's masterful artistry. Share
In 2011, when Eddy Jaquet began engraving for MB&F, his task was modest: inscribing the names of master watchmakers Kari Voutilainen and Jean-François Mojon on the first Legacy Machine calibres. While his work was impeccable, it barely scratched the surface of his immense talent. As MB&F founder Maximilian Büsser remarked, “Having Eddy Jaquet engrave names on movements was like playing ‘Für Elise’ on a Stradivarius violin – you couldn’t imagine a more modest use of such an amazing gift.” It was clear that Jaquet’s abilities deserved a grander stage.
That opportunity came when Jaquet expressed his desire to do more. What began as an initial conversation quickly turned into an ambitious collaboration. Together, MB&F and Jaquet embarked on creating eight unique timepieces that brought to life the works of 19th-century author Jules Verne, engraved in intricate detail on the Legacy Machine Split Escapement. This series, including pieces like the award-winning ‘Around the World in Eighty Days,’ was so well received that all eight were snapped up immediately, and the final watch was delivered to its owner in 2022.
Much like the Jules Verne series, Jaquet’s engravings for these pieces are not based on pre-existing illustrations. Instead, they are completely original designs that emerge from his personal interpretation of the stories. After reading the books and drawing inspiration from a variety of sources, including films and comic books, Jaquet crafted intricate scenes for each piece, allowing these timeless novels to be reimagined through the art of horology.
Engraving on the Legacy Machine Split Escapement poses its own set of challenges. The watch’s dial, which also serves as the movement’s baseplate, has varying thicknesses that must be considered while engraving. Some sections are as thin as 0.35mm, requiring an extraordinarily light touch, while others provide more depth for detailed work. Jaquet meticulously plans his engravings to avoid puncturing the dial. The date and power-reserve subdials were redesigned with openwork, allowing for a wider canvas. The bezel was slimmed down, and the case dimensions were adjusted, necessitating the creation of a new, flatter sapphire crystal dome.
Each watch in this new series is housed in a stainless steel case, paired with black subdials on a white gold baseplate. The combination beautifully frames Jaquet’s engravings, while maintaining the elegance and functionality that MB&F is known for. Along with each timepiece, collectors receive an original signed sketch by Jaquet and a Loupe System X6 macro lens, offering them a deeper glimpse into the engravings and adding a new dimension to the ownership experience.
Jaquet approached each engraving as a scene from the novels that had personal meaning to him. For The Jungle Book, Jaquet chose to depict Mowgli nestled in the paws of Rama, with Bagheera, Baloo, Raksha, and Shere Khan surrounding them. This scene captures the essence of the story’s characters, bringing them to life on a miniature scale. For Treasure Island, Jaquet based the engraving on a brief, two-sentence passage where Jim Hawkins leaps from a boat to escape pirates. This small moment becomes a powerful focal point on the dial, illustrating the tension and adventure of the novel.
Despite the tiny size of the watch dial—just 40mm in diameter—Jaquet engraves with the same level of detail as he would on a larger canvas. Each character, each scene is engraved with precise strokes that create a narrative in miniature. Some elements are so small that they can only be appreciated through a magnifying glass, such as the tally marks on a wooden cross in Robinson Crusoe, marking the days passed on the deserted island. The engravings on the LM Split Escapement watches are not merely two-dimensional.
Jaquet uses a variety of techniques to bring texture and depth to his scenes. The way he engraves the metal—whether with polished or matte finishes, or with specific tool directions—creates contrasts that change as the light hits the surface, enhancing the visual impact of the designs. Moving the watch reveals new details, making the viewing experience dynamic and engaging.
Jaquet also uses the subdials and other components of the watch movement to add to the storytelling. For instance, in Robinson Crusoe, one of the subdials doubles as a telescope lens, through which Crusoe and his companion, Friday, observe a distant ship. This second series of LM Split Escapement ‘Eddy Jaquet’ pieces offers collectors a multi-layered experience. From a distance, the watches are admired for their overall aesthetic and design. Up close, the finely detailed engravings reveal themselves, and with the help of a loupe, the full intricacy of Jaquet’s work comes to light. It’s a journey akin to reading a book: starting with the cover, then delving into the finer details, and finally immersing oneself completely in the world of the story.
